Nintendo’s recent release of the “Close to You” videos has been one of the most intriguing and effective communication strategies the company has deployed in years. The first short appeared without context, showing a baby chasing a floating pacifier in a warmly animated scene. At first glance, it seemed like a standalone experiment, sparking speculation about whether it was a teaser for a new game or even a film project. The following day, however, Nintendo unveiled a second version of the same short, this time revealing the presence of Pikmin hidden throughout the sequence. This clever two step reveal immediately captured attention, transforming what seemed like a mysterious vignette into a playful nod to one of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises.
The decision to spotlight Pikmin in this way was particularly effective. Pikmin has always been a series that thrives on charm and subtlety, and the videos leaned into that identity. By presenting the creatures as invisible helpers in the first video and then making them visible in the second, Nintendo echoed the lore of Pikmin Bloom, where the creatures exist in the real world but remain unseen by humans. This approach not only delighted existing fans but also introduced the concept of Pikmin to a broader audience in a format that was accessible, shareable, and emotionally resonant. It was a reminder that Pikmin is more than a niche strategy game, it is a universe of characters that can thrive in different forms of media.
Equally important was the fact that these shorts marked the debut of Nintendo Pictures, the animation studio formed after Nintendo acquired Dynamo Pictures in 2022. This studio worked as a final project outside Nintendo in Death Stranding 2. But now, as a first public Nintendo project, “Close to You” served as a showcase of the studio’s capabilities. The animation quality was polished, with a style that balanced warmth and whimsy, evoking comparisons to Pixar or Illumination while maintaining a distinctly Nintendo sensibility. By doing all of this, Nintendo Pictures demonstrated its ability to handle subtle storytelling, character animation, and atmosphere, skills that will be essential as the studio takes on larger projects in the future. Yes, can expect that.
The rollout of the videos also highlighted Nintendo’s evolving approach to multimedia. With the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the company has shown that its characters can thrive outside of games. “Close to You” reinforced this trajectory by positioning Pikmin in a short film format, distributed through YouTube and the Nintendo Today app, reaching audiences far beyond the traditional gaming community. It was a strategic move that both promoted the Pikmin brand and established Nintendo Pictures as a creative force in its own right.
In the end, the “Close to You” shorts were more than a curiosity. They were a carefully designed introduction to Nintendo Pictures, a clever way to keep Pikmin in the cultural conversation, and a demonstration of how Nintendo can use animation to expand the reach of its characters. By blending mystery, charm, and technical artistry, Nintendo managed to create a viral moment that doubled as a mission statement for its new studio. The message was clear: Nintendo Pictures is here, and its future promises to be as imaginative as the worlds it brings to life.
